Holiday Tree Trimming and Light Recycling, District 90 Kindergarten Survey, Property Tax Webinar and More!

Friday, December 9, 2022

Dear River Forest residents,

Last week, the Village wrapped up construction on the last two green alley projects for 2022. This makes nine alleys that have been improved this year, with five slated for reconstruction next spring. These alleys are constructed with permeable pavers to ease flooding concerns in our neighborhoods. The alleys are another example of the Village investing in infrastructure to improve residents’ quality of life and help raise property values.

Over the next few weeks, all local taxing bodies will vote to adopt a property tax levy for the 2022 Tax Year. The Village Board will consider adoption of a levy increase at Monday night’s Board meeting. Please remember that the Village levy makes up a small portion of your tax bill - roughly 12%. More than 70% of your tax bill will go to our local school districts. To learn more about local tax levies, click here. Use the Village’s Community portal to see a chart of where your tax dollars go. Also, each unit of government is their own elected body. In other words, the Village is a separate entity from D90, D200, Triton College, etc.

For residents looking to lower their property taxes, a free webinar is being offered from the Cook County Assessor on Wednesday, December 21 at noon. It will focus on how to apply for missing property tax savings, and more information can be found in the article below. The second installment of property taxes is due Friday, December 30, so it’s important to apply for exemptions and make corrections before that due date.

Finally, I would like to remind residents that the last Village Board meeting of 2022 will take place Monday, December 12. Click here to view agendas, minutes and informational packets available.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Holiday Light Recycling

The Village continues to partner with Elgin Recycling Inc. to provide an easy and environmentally responsible way to dispose of old or unusable holiday lights. Residents can drop off holiday lights for recycling in a clearly marked receptacle behind Village Hall under the train overpass. This bin will be available starting this coming Saturday (December 10) through Sunday, January 15, 2023.

ACCEPTED ITEMS: Wire string holiday lights and extension cords, mini-lights (also known as Italian lights), C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords. All colors and lengths will be accepted.

NOT ACCEPTED: Live trees, artificial trees, live greens, wreaths, garland, ornaments, figurines, inflatables, lawn ornaments or other holiday decorations.

Elgin Recycling takes the lights and cords, and the strands are separated, baled, and sent to be chopped or shredded and sold as a commodity to foundries and mills across the United States. Be as sustainable as possible this holiday season!

District 90 Survey

School District 90 recently started to review their Kindergarten Program to ensure the curriculum aligns with broader instructional programming and provides all students with a strong academic foundation. To support this effort, the School District is conducting a survey to garner feedback from stakeholders from across the community regarding perceptions on the Kindergarten program model, and whether it meets the needs of students and families. Please consider participating in this survey by clicking here.

Property Tax Webinar

The Cook County Assessor’s office will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, December 21 at noon. The topic of this virtual workshop will be, “Applying for Missing Property Tax Savings” and will focus on making residents aware of available tax exemptions and how to apply for them. Attendees will also learn how to submit a certificate of error and can participate in a live question and answer session. This free webinar will take place on Facebook Live, and more information can be found here.

Online Holiday Shopping Scams

The River Forest Police Department wants to remind residents to stay vigilant this holiday season. Click here to view crime prevention tips, including how to avoid becoming a victim of online shopping fraud. Please view some quick tips below and visit the link above for more holiday safety tips and information.

Deal with reputable online retailers, beware of deals too good to be true.
Don’t browse or shop using public Wi-Fi connections.
Use strong passwords and do not duplicate passwords for multiple accounts.
Avoid using debit cards to shop online. Credit cards are safer because they do not have direct access to cash in your account.
Don’t fall for email scams. Always verify the actual email address of the sender.

Holiday Tree Trimming Recap

The Village was thrilled to once again participate in the River Forest Park District’s Holiday Tree Trimming event last week. Residents are encouraged to stop by Lake Street in Memorial Parkway and see all of the beautiful trees decorated by area businesses, organizations and neighbors. These trees will be lit through New Year’s Day for all of our community members to enjoy as we celebrate the holiday season!

Kiwanis "Light Up the Night" Event

Save the date for 'Light up the Night' on Saturday, December 17. The Kiwanis Club of River Forest-Oak Park sponsors this annual event and have assembled luminary kits for purchase. Each kit is $10, with net proceeds benefitting local youth. Included are 10 white paper bags, 10 plain wax candles, sand, instructions and helpful hints. Recommended spacing is five feet between lights, with one kit lining one side of the sidewalk. However, for residents who would like to line both sides of the sidewalk - two kits would be necessary. Kits are now available here for porch pickup. Cash or checks addressed to the Kiwanis of River Forest and Oak Park can be dropped in the mail slot to the right of the door with the supplied envelope. Don't forget to grab one sandbag for each kit purchased!

Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

Residents can take many proactive steps to lower energy bills this season while staying cozy and comfortable. As we head into the winter season, now is the time to make sure your home is prepared to withstand the extreme cold. Reducing air drafts can help lower your home's energy costs by 20% each year. Products such as shrink film, temporary caulking and various weather-stripping products can all help to keep your home warm and your energy costs low.

River Forest Business Spotlight!

Hair It Is by Darla is a salon and spa that offers cuts, coloring, styling, facials, manicures and more. Treat yourself to some pampering and book a holiday appointment! Call 708-771-9262 or click here.

If you’d like to see your business featured, email info@vrf.us. You can also visit the Shop River Forest website for more information on local businesses worth checking out this holiday season.